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[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Actually 30KG lighter than a standard 1969 Elan S4 at 650KG

https://youtu.be/TmIN1ltTmmE?feature=shared

[Viral_Jim]

IMO whether to convert a classic to EV depends on what made them a great classic (if indeed they were). So something like a Ferrari 512 would be sacrilege imo because the experience is all about that flat 12. At the other end of the spectrum I don't think anyone would mourn the loss of a wheezy 2.4 petrol.in an original series land rover.

I guess this falls somewhere in the middle, but if it keeps them on the road and draws more people into keeping them, then why not!

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Shouldnt be allowed. 

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

I'm surprised that electrification didn't turn the svelte little Elan into a lard arse. Although the omission of the fiesty little Ford/Lotus twin cam is not ideal. 

Colin Chapman used to say 'just add lightness'

[Kevin Wood]

I think that's a great improvement. That is exactly the electric car I'd want.

I wouldn't be bothered doing anything more than a short commute or Sunday morning thrash in an electric car so the SUVs and saloons on offer from the mainstream manufacturers aren't remotely of interest. That would take me and my packed lunch quite happily.

The Elan is exactly the type of car that needs to outlive the end of fossil fuel - adorable styling, fantastic chassis and the original engine, whilst a bit of a classic, it's not sacrilege on the scale of a Ferrari lump to bin it. It was only a warmed over old Ford dog without the benefit of enough development to make it properly reliable as a daily driver. No-brainer.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

IMO whether to convert a classic to EV depends on what made them a great classic (if indeed they were). So something like a Ferrari 512 would be sacrilege imo because the experience is all about that flat 12. At the other end of the spectrum I don't think anyone would mourn the loss of a wheezy 2.4 petrol.in an original series land rover.

I guess this falls somewhere in the middle, but if it keeps them on the road and draws more people into keeping them, then why not!

Zackly.....and with anything running on devil derv it should be made compulsory.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

I think that's a great improvement. That is exactly the electric car I'd want.

I wouldn't be bothered doing anything more than a short commute or Sunday morning thrash in an electric car so the SUVs and saloons on offer from the mainstream manufacturers aren't remotely of interest. That would take me and my packed lunch quite happily.

The Elan is exactly the type of car that needs to outlive the end of fossil fuel - adorable styling, fantastic chassis and the original engine, whilst a bit of a classic, it's not sacrilege on the scale of a Ferrari lump to bin it. It was only a warmed over old Ford dog without the benefit of enough development to make it properly reliable as a daily driver. No-brainer.

Also, as the battery is only 28KW it takes just 4 hours of low rate leccy to charge to 100%, assuming a 7KW home charger.

I'd still love an original Elan Sprint though.

[Marks DTM Calib]

I'm surprised that electrification didn't turn the svelte little Elan into a lard arse. Although the omission of the fiesty little Ford/Lotus twin cam is not ideal. 

Colin Chapman used to say 'just add lightness'

They must have done other things, all those Tesla batteries, plus motor, plus inverter, plus charger would by heavier than the old twin cam engine and fuel tank

[Nick W]

IMO whether to convert a classic to EV depends on what made them a great classic (if indeed they were). So something like a Ferrari 512 would be sacrilege imo because the experience is all about that flat 12.

That's been my opinion for a while too. The twincam I6 in a Jag or Aston, or the big-block Mopar in an Interceptor is a major part of the appeal. Nobody ever bought a Mini or Minor because it has an A-series.


And EVs in general make more sense as small, low-powered cars rather than the £100k 2.5tonne behemoths.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

I'm surprised that electrification didn't turn the svelte little Elan into a lard arse. Although the omission of the fiesty little Ford/Lotus twin cam is not ideal. 

Colin Chapman used to say 'just add lightness'

They must have done other things, all those Tesla batteries, plus motor, plus inverter, plus charger would by heavier than the old twin cam engine and fuel tank

Also my thoughts...

However the owner reckons the car has gone from 680KG to 650KG.....Hmmm.

How much does a full tank of petrol weigh in an Elan?

[Kevin Wood]

How much does a full tank of petrol weigh in an Elan?

Depends how much has leaked out while it was parked.

[STEMO]

IMO whether to convert a classic to EV depends on what made them a great classic (if indeed they were). So something like a Ferrari 512 would be sacrilege imo because the experience is all about that flat 12.

That's been my opinion for a while too. The twincam I6 in a Jag or Aston, or the big-block Mopar in an Interceptor is a major part of the appeal. Nobody ever bought a Mini or Minor because it has an A-series.


And EVs in general make more sense as small, low-powered cars rather than the £100k 2.5tonne behemoths.

Drivers in France will find that out soon enough. As well as imposing crippling taxes on ICE cars, Macron is also introducing a weight tax for EV's.

"Weight above half a tonne will be punished on a rising scale. Above two tonnes, the penalty will rise by €30 a kilo, adding about €1,200 to a Tesla X or €1,800 to a larger e-Mercedes SUV. That makes sense. Lithium, cobalt and steel do not grow on trees."

[Sir Tigger KC]

It won't be long before we are all driving round in little Chinese electric boxes. 

I ordered a Grab taxi in Saigon, and a tiny little Vinfast* electric hatchback turned up. It was great for driving in a city like Saigon where you go along in a swarm of motorbikes. It was comfy enough and showed 400kms of range on the display as well. 

It would probably be a great shopping car for Lord Opti.   I think he secretly wants an EV! 

*Vinfast is a Vietnamese car manufacturer, not Chinese, but you get the point. 

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

It won't be long before we are all driving round in little Chinese electric boxes. 

I ordered a Grab taxi in Saigon, and a tiny little Vinfast* electric hatchback turned up. It was great for driving in a city like Saigon where you go along in a swarm of motorbikes. It was comfy enough and showed 400kms of range on the display as well. 

It would probably be a great shopping car for Lord Opti. I think he secretly wants an EV!

*Vinfast is a Vietnamese car manufacturer, not Chinese, but you get the point. 

Nah....I've driven a full EV and also a hybrid with electric assistance and both are no more than glorified 'white goods' with no soul at all.

Petrol only for me.

Mrs Opti wants electric because she has no interest whatsoever in cars. She has as much interest in cars as I do in dress making or flower arranging.

The electric Elan does muddy the waters slightly though.

[Nick W]

Nah....I've driven a full EV and also a hybrid with electric assistance and both are no more than glorified 'white goods' with no soul at all.

Petrol only for me.

Mrs Opti wants electric because she has no interest whatsoever in cars. She has as much interest in cars as I do in dress making or flower arranging.

cars are just white goods, and 'soul' is a religious concept that's stupid even before applying it to mechanical objects.


I've been a petrolhead for as long as I can remember, and I've bought large cars for their smooth, quiet and effortless performance. That's why large six and twelve cylinder engines have always been the configuration of choice for luxury cars. EVs provide those attributes naturally without having to mask the inefficiencies of getting rid of waste noise, heat and vibration.